Despite the setback that Hugh’s foot fungus was still a deal-breaker, Nora remained determined to complete her mission to double-check a number of key ex-boyfriends. If anything, it was a good exercise in confirming her intuition was correct and that she and foot fungus would never be compatible. She stayed up quite late tracking down the next ex, who proved particularly difficult to locate.
There had been many wild times with Benicio but he frequently didn’t have time for her and had let her down once too often. Not turning up on her birthday had signalled his demise. He’d not been easy to find online because he used a nickname. His social media had been a flurry of nights out and holidays up until Christmas, after which point he seemed to disappear. Now it became more than just ticking him off her list. She had grown quite concerned for his whereabouts and was determined to follow up the only lead she had.
A persistent knocking on her front door pulled her from her sleep just before seven on Saturday morning. Shedozily headed downstairs trying to work out what she’d ordered because it could only be an overly eager delivery guy at this hour of the morning. She tied the cord on her dressing gown tight and with a large yawn she opened the front door to find an agitated Jay standing there.
‘Oh great, you’re up. Can we come in?’ he asked.
‘We?’ Nora rubbed her eyes.
At the sound of her voice Bruce barked, charged past Jay and almost knocked Nora over in his excitement to greet her.
‘Hiya, Bruce. You’ve got him already?’ said Nora, waving them both inside and shutting the door.
‘They seemed keen to get him out of the rescue centre,’ said Jay. ‘Which is probably a red flag.’
‘How’s it going?’ she asked as she gave Bruce a fuss and he lapped it up.
‘Not great,’ said Jay. ‘I’m sorry about the cryptic note I left you. I thought I should explain everything face to face. But then I figured you’d probably worked it all out anyway. Obviously you have. So all I can really say is—’
Nora wasn’t sure what Jay was going on about. Her brain never kicked into gear until she’d had caffeine. ‘You’re a good boy, yes you are,’ said Nora to Bruce. The dog wandered off into the living room and Nora followed him. ‘You just need to get used to each other, Jay. I think you’re worrying unnecessarily.’ She opened the blinds and the room flooded with light. Bruce went up to Oliver’s cage and barked at it, which drew everyone’s attention to the open door.
‘I’m so sorry,’ said Jay, rubbing his hand over his face.
‘Right,’ said Nora, glancing around the room.
‘You see, I couldn’t leave Bruce at home alone because I’ve not left him yet and the rescue said not to for the first few days and then build up the time that he’s alone because he might get stressed. Although I’m not sure he does get stressed but he’s definitely a carrier because he’s done nothing but cause me stress since he moved in. Anyway I brought him with me and he—’
‘Oh, I see what he did,’ said Nora as she rummaged in the foliage of her large paradise palm. ‘He’s eaten some of the leaves,’ she added, turning around with Oliver on her forearm. ‘Don’t worry, they’re not poisonous and they’ll soon grow back. Look at it sprouting in all directions, even I can’t kill it.’
Jay was staring at her.
‘Oliver,’ he said at last.
‘Thanks for looking after him. And for letting him have a mooch about. Did you want a coffee?’ asked Nora. Jay looked like he needed something stronger, perhaps being a pet owner was more taxing for some people.
‘Have you checked Oliver over? No missing limbs?’
‘He’s fine. The plant is fine. Stop worrying.’
Nora put Oliver back in his enclosure and made the drinks. When she came back into the living room, Jay was sitting on the floor next to Bruce and they were both watching Oliver intensely. Oliver had an eye on each of them.
‘Are you OK?’ asked Nora, handing Jay a mug and taking a seat on the sofa.
‘Thanks. I’m really sorry. I’ve been a terrible pet-sitter. Maybe I’m just not cut out for looking after animals.’
Bruce gave a huff and, as if understanding Jay’s words and wanting to offer reassurance, he lay down with his head resting on Jay’s thigh.
‘It’s OK. He’s fine. It will take you both a while to settle. Don’t be too hasty. I think what you’re doing is amazing.’ Nora feared Jay was thinking about giving up on his new charge.
Jay spun around to look at her. ‘You do?’
‘Yeah. Straight up. A dog is a huge commitment and I said I’d share some of that responsibility and I’ve not been here. I’ll make sure I do more, I promise.’
‘That’s definitely made me feel better. It’s all a bit daunting. I’ve not been responsible for someone else before. I guess it’ll take a bit of getting used to.’ Jay tentatively patted Bruce. ‘Anyway, how did your work thing go?’
Nora fessed up to tracking down Hugh and Jay listened intently while sipping his drink and pulling suitably grossed-out expressions in the right places. ‘I’m not overreacting, am I?’ she asked at the end.
‘Not at all. Some types of toenail fungus are highly contagious so you did right to avoid that. What now? Are you done with tracking down the exes?’
